Jumped a signal? Expect summons at your doorstep

The next time you decide to jump a signal or break a traffic law, beware! Any one of 225 CCTV cameras could capture your licence plate number, which will then be used to track down your address and send you a summons

Gone are the days when you could surreptitiously jump a red light and drive off with impunity because the traffic cops were sleeping on the job. The traffic police force in the city has finally started harnessing technology to crack down on traffic offenders.

Cops watch the footage at the control room at traffic police headquarters in Worli

Cops watch the footage at the control room at traffic police headquarters in Worli

Since last year, 225 CCTV cameras spread out across important junctions at the city have been watching your every move at important junctions, every time you take to the wheel. One false move or broken signal, and you could find a summons at your doorstep from the traffic police, in a few days.

The traffic department is planning to catch more offenders, with the help of these cameras that are watching the streets even in their absence

The traffic department is planning to catch more offenders, with the help of these cameras that are watching the streets even in their absence

In 2013, as many as 9,200 motorists were caught on CCTV camera breaking traffic rules, and so far this year, 1,200 cases have already been registered (till March 15). The traffic department is planning to catch more offenders, with the help of these cameras that are watching the streets even in their absence.

Traffic officials revealed that they have been catching offenders on a daily basis, since the technology was installed. “It is difficult for us to see the number plate clearly when the vehicle is moving, but we get it once the car stops at a signal.

Once we get the vehicle number, we immediately send it to the prosecution department, who then forward it to the RTO for address details of the owner. It is a lengthy process, but we are making it simpler,” said a traffic official from the Worli control room.

In 2013, the traffic department sent 9,200 summons to offenders after their errant driving was captured on camera. In January this year, 423 offenders were caught with the help of the cameras, while traffic cops came calling on 442 offenders in February.

By March 15, over 200 cases had been registered solely with the help of footage received from CCTV cameras. The control room for these cameras is located at the traffic police headquarters in Worli.

There are 225 cameras spread out across the city, watching areas like Haji Ali Junction, Mahim Causeway, Vakola flyover, Taj Mahal Hotel, and the airports. A traffic official revealed that most of the cameras have been installed along routes used by VVIPs.

How it works

Once a camera captures visual evidence of traffic rules being flouted, officials manning the control room list the licence plate numbers of the erring vehicles. They send these numbers to the prosecution department. Officials at the department forward the numbers to relevant traffic divisions, where officials follow up on the case and send summons to the offenders, who are then fined.

1,200

Number of cases captured on CCTV camera till March 15 this year

>> Once the car-owner’s address is traced with the help of the licence number, a summons is dispatched to the errant motorist

>> 9,200 offenders were traced and penalised with the help of footage obtained from these cameras last year

>> The cameras are installed at important junctions in areas like Haji Ali Junction, Mahim Causeway, Vakola flyover, Taj Mahal Hotel, and the airport